Council fears N71 speed limit reduction will have detrimental effect on West Cork

Cork County Council workers changing a speed limit sign in Union Hall, West Cork, earlier this month. Picture: Andy Gibson

Consumers in peripheral areas of West Cork have been warned that the cost of goods and services will rise if the Department of Transport goes ahead with plans later this year to reduce the speed limit on the only main road serving the region.

Cork County Council is to write to the Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien urging him to row back on proposals to lower the speed limit on the N71 from 100km/hr to 80km/hr.

Councillors have warned it will have a serious impact on deliveries due to reduced speed and the knock-on impact for HGV drivers who will have to take breaks earlier than normal due to tachograph — a device fitted to a vehicle that automatically records speed and distance — restrictions on their driving hours.

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said the delays caused by increased journey times will have a serious detrimental impact on West Cork’s economy.

Like several other councillors, he also expressed concerns that frustration with the lower speed limit might actually lead to some drivers taking more chances and increasing the likelihood of serious accidents.

“It will in particular have a big impact on haulage companies. It will add half an hour or more extra onto the journey from Cork down to West Cork peninsulas," Mr Harrington said.

This will increase their costs which are bound to eventually be passed onto consumers. I can see it also having a negative impact on tourism.

Bantry-based Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy said the lower limits will also have a negative impact on volunteer drivers for the Cancer Connect service and the patients they have to take to Cork University Hospital for treatment.

“As it is it takes me nearly two hours to get from Schull to Cork. If this is introduced it will take me nearer to three hours. It would be a better option if the current speed limits were enforced properly,” Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin added.

Independent councillor Peter O’Donoghue agreed that it made sense to introduce speed limit cuts on rural roads but described cutting them on national secondary roads like the N71 as “absolutely ridiculous".

It will create more frustration, overtaking and make it more dangerous. It will also add to the cost of living.

Independent councillor Danny Collins said schools in West Cork will have to pay more to take children on buses to matches up the country as increased travel times will be mean increased costs will have to be passed on by the coach companies.

"A bit of common sense has to prevail here,” he added.

Social Democrats councillor Ann Bambury said she uses the N71 daily.

“I fear the reduction will increase accidents because of frustration. Where is the enforcement? People won’t change bad driving habits without it. There should be more investment by government for proper roads in Cork,” she said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Looney said motorists were not even adhering to the speed limits as it is in villages, citing a recent county council speed survey in Rylane where nearly 90% of drivers were over the 50km limit and one was clocked doing an astonishing 143km/hr past a school, creche and playground.

“I welcome the reduced limits on rural roads if they are going to be enforced. But I do have reservations about the proposed reductions on roads like the N71,” he said.